Environment and Parks
ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
This business plan was prepared under my direction, taking into consideration the government’s policy decisions as of
March 17, 2016.
original signed by
Shannon Phillips, Minister
MINISTRY OVERVIEW
The ministry consists of the Department of Environment and Parks, the Climate Change and Emissions Management
Fund, Energy Efficiency Alberta, the Land Stewardship Fund and the Natural Resources Conservation Board. Within
the department’s budget, funding is provided for the Land Use Secretariat, the Surface Rights Board, the Land
Compensation Board, the Environmental Appeals Board and the Public Lands Appeal Board. All associated agencies,
boards, commissions and delegated administrative organizations will undergo a review to ensure maximum benefit for
Albertans. The Alberta Climate Change Office has been established to implement the Climate Leadership Plan.
Six delegated administrative organizations which operate outside of government and are accountable to the minister
are the Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Professional Outfitters Society, Alberta Recycling Management
Authority, Alberta Used Oil Management Association, Beverage Container Management Board, and the Climate
Change and Emissions Management Corporation.
Albertans are proud of their environment, abundant natural resources and system of provincial parks and protected
areas. These inspire people to discover, value, protect and enjoy the natural world and the benefits it provides for
current and future generations. Alberta’s vision is for a healthy, clean and prosperous province where Albertans are
leaders in environmental conservation and enjoy sustainable economic prosperity and a great quality of life.
The ministry works with Albertans to ensure the province’s environmental, social and economic goals for the future
are met. Strategic partnerships support the ministry in achieving its outcomes by providing collaborative forums to
leverage resources, capacity and a shared responsibility for environmental stewardship. The ministry engages with
Albertans to listen and to better understand the challenges involved in ensuring that Alberta’s natural resources are
managed using innovative and responsible approaches. To ensure the sustainability of Alberta’s air, land, water and
biodiversity, all Albertans will need to play a strong role.
A more detailed description of Environment and Parks and its programs and initiatives can be found at
www.aep.alberta.ca.
ENVIRONMENT AND PARKS BUSINESS PLAN 2016 –19
49
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
The outcomes and key strategies identified in this business plan are aligned with the strategic direction of the
Government of Alberta.
To improve Alberta’s reputation and grow its economy, it is time to take leadership on one of the world’s biggest
problems – the pollution that is causing climate change. Albertans need protection from both the increase in frequency
and severity of catastrophic events resulting from climate change and the negative health impacts of air pollution,
especially from coal power generation. In light of lower oil prices, Albertans are looking to government to diversify the
economy and create jobs by investing in a greener, more efficient economy.
Alberta’s landscape also faces competing demands, so government’s decision-making processes must consider the
cumulative social, economic and environmental impacts, in order to find balance. In addition to the ever-present
development and population growth, outdoor recreational activities are also putting pressure on the province’s
landscape. Effectively managing the impacts of outdoor recreation may also create an opportunity for expansion of
recreation and tourism industries as part of a transition to a greener economy.
To achieve cohesive, integrated and responsible resource management, effective policy development and
implementation across all levels of government is needed. The government is committed to tackling the challenge of
developing open and consistent management of data, records and information in response to Albertans’ expectations
and empowering individuals, non-profit organizations and businesses to derive value from government information. In
addition to these challenges, stakeholder engagement and communication with all Albertans are key to incorporating
the roles and contributions of Albertans to the province’s success.
Finally, there are a number of demographic changes in this province, such as increasing ethnic diversity and a large,
young and growing Indigenous population. It is critical the Government of Alberta addresses the unique needs of these
groups in order to ensure success for all Albertans, including the most vulnerable populations.
OUTCOMES, KEY STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Outcome One: Environment and ecosystem health and integrity
Albertans care about the health and integrity of their environment and ecosystems and the ministry is committed
to a renewed approach to conservation, biodiversity and ecological integrity. Productive relationships and strategic
partnerships that include Albertans are needed to achieve clean air, quality water, sustainable water supplies, productive
and sustainable lands, conserved natural landscapes and protected areas. The ministry works with strategic partners
to conserve landscapes representative of Alberta’s natural regions, ecosystems and ecosystem services that protect
biodiversity and provide habitat for common, vulnerable and endangered species.
Direction to achieve outcomes is provided through legislation, policy, regional plans and frameworks, and is supported
by education, outreach, authorizations and compliance programs as well as environmental trends and conditions
monitoring, evaluating and reporting. Examples of ongoing ministry initiatives include identifying and recovering
species at risk, the Land Trust Program and the Land Purchase Program which prevent habitat fragmentation,
maintain biodiversity and preserve native landscapes. The ministry provides an environmental stewardship framework
based on planning and policy and then regulates natural resource access, allocation and use. To protect and conserve
Alberta’s air, water, land and biodiversity it is essential for businesses, non-governmental organizations, communities
and individuals to comply with limits and requirements for pollutant emissions, water withdrawals, wastewater
discharges, fish and wildlife harvest, species conservation and timely land reclamation and remediation. Ecosystem
health and integrity will enable Alberta to meet environmental, economic and social needs for present and future
generations.
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ENVIRONMENT AND PARKS BUSINESS PLAN 2016 –19
Key Strategies:
1.1 Ensure environmental protection, conservation and ecosystem integrity by:
• completing regional plan development focusing on the North Saskatchewan and Lower Peace regions;
• implementing regional plans through management frameworks, sub-regional recreation and land disturbance
plans and projects, and the establishment of multi-stakeholder forums;
• developing and implementing air quality management action plans to address the Alberta: Air Zones Report
2011–13, which is based on Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards;
• ensuring an improved approach to eliminating tailings ponds;
• demonstrating how Alberta contributes to Canada’s international commitment to protect 17 per cent of
terrestrial ecosystems under Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity;
• developing woodland caribou range plans to meet species recovery requirements;
• ensuring grazing lease objectives are communicated and monitored;
• transitioning to an open-source environmental information system that supports access to scientific data and
information on Alberta’s environmental conditions and trends; and
• developing and initiating implementation of a land reclamation framework.
1.2 Demonstrate Alberta’s commitment to address climate change by working with the Alberta Climate Change
Office as it leads the implementation of the Climate Leadership Plan.
1.3 Enhance Alberta’s provincial parks, in conjunction with the continued implementation of Alberta’s Land-use
Framework, by:
• leading initiatives to create new provincial parks, or to expand or reclassify existing provincial parks to help
fill conservation, recreation and tourism gaps in the current Alberta provincial parks system; and
• revitalizing and modernizing provincial parks legislation, including a revised provincial parks classification
system.
1.4 Protect the Castle Special Management Area under provincial parks legislation and develop and implement a
park management plan to ensure the area’s environmental values are effectively managed and enable naturebased recreational and tourism opportunities.
1.5 Participate in the government’s program and policy review for ways to implement the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples objectives and principles.
1.6 Participate in the comprehensive review of Alberta’s agencies, boards and commissions to ensure they are
performing to the maximum benefit for Albertans.
Performance Measure
1.a Municipal solid waste to landfills:
• Kilograms of municipal solid waste, per capita, disposed
of in public and private landfills1
Last Actual
2014
Target
2016-17
Target
2017-18
Target
2018-19
6691
657
633
620
Note:
1
Data is corrected from 666 to 669 kilograms per capita.
Linking Performance Measures to Outcomes:
1.a The amount of waste disposed in waste disposal facilities affects environmental and ecosystem health and integrity
by deteriorating the quality of Alberta’s land, air and water and signals the amount of resources that have not
been recycled or reused. This measure highlights the success in encouraging Albertans to reduce waste and tracks
progress on reducing the amount of waste disposed of in waste disposal facilities, per capita.
ENVIRONMENT AND PARKS BUSINESS PLAN 2016 –19
51
Performance Measures under Development:
Measures for protected areas and Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan are under development to further reflect progress
toward achieving outcome one.
Performance Indicators
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Actual
(Year)
Actual
(Year)
93%
95%
97%
96%
(2013)
97%
(2014)
2.2%
(2005)
3.6%
(2010)
1.a Provincial air quality index:
• Percentage of good air quality days in
urban areas based on Alberta’s ambient air
quality objectives for fine particulate matter,
ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide
and sulphur dioxide1
Good ai r qual i ty days
1.b Species at risk
• Percentage of vertebrate species including
mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and
fish designated as ‘at risk’ 2
1.c Total greenhouse gas emissions3:
• Total million tonnes of CO2 equivalents
(greenhouse gas) emitted from major
emission source categories
243
247
258
267
(2013)
Notes:
1
The Air Quality Index reflects the overall averaged annual air quality of the province based on provincial ambient air
quality objectives of five major pollutants: fine particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur
dioxide. The new Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards, which focus on a three year average of the highest occurring
concentration levels of two major pollutants: fine particulate matter and ozone, and the annual average of fine particulate
matter for the province’s six air zones, complements the Air Quality Index.
2
Species at risk results are gathered by the provincial government, universities, colleges and expert biologists, and are reported
federally once every five years as legislated by the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada.
3
Emissions are measured on a calendar year and there is a reporting lag period.
Outcome Two: Sustainable economic diversification
Albertans wish to generate economic diversification through a green economy that will improve human well-being
and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. A green economy is one
where growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions
and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The
Government of Alberta will utilize policy, regulations and economic instruments to catalyze and enable the growth
and efficiency of a green economy through investment and development by Albertans in green sectors such as waste,
water, renewable energy, ecotourism and outdoor recreation. The development of a green economy as detailed in
Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan promotes the government’s bottom line of sustaining and advancing economic,
environmental and social well-being now and into the future.
Key Strategies:
2.1 Through the Climate Change Office, develop and implement energy efficiency initiatives that support Alberta’s
Climate Leadership Plan and drive economic diversification and job growth.
2.2 Support Alberta’s progress towards a green economy to create new jobs in agriculture, forestry, transportation
and construction sectors by providing leadership on adoption of greener technology.
2.3 Ensure parks and conservation efforts are creating jobs in tourism and associated industries.
Performance Measures under Development:
Performance measures that reflect progress toward achieving outcome two are under development.
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ENVIRONMENT AND PARKS BUSINESS PLAN 2016 –19
Outcome Three:Social well-being
Albertans love their province and wish to maximize the social benefits a quality natural environment provides. To
complement the overall mental and physical health benefits derived from a healthy environment and ecosystem, the
ministry manages Alberta’s provincial parks systems land base, facilities and infrastructure, and access to public lands.
Opportunities are provided for Albertans and visitors to explore natural landscapes, engage in nature-based experiences
or outdoor recreational activities, and learn about Alberta’s natural heritage through the ministry’s many educational,
interpretative and experiential programs. Additional outdoor recreational activities are provided through management of
water reservoirs and fish hatcheries. These interactions enhance social well-being and quality of life while contributing to
the provincial green economy through Alberta’s recreation and tourism industry. To ensure these opportunities continue
to be available to future generations, the ministry will work with Albertans to protect and conserve the province’s air,
land, water and biodiversity.
Key Strategies:
3.1 Enhance Alberta’s provincial parks, in conjunction with the continued implementation of Alberta’s Land-use
Framework, by:
• addressing the commitment to provide modern facilities, high quality recreation experiences and
conservation;
• continuing to develop and implement strategies, including the Inclusion Strategy, Science Strategy and
Visitor Experience Strategy, to enable Albertans of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to experience nature
through Alberta’s provincial parks system; and
• encouraging public participation in and support of Alberta Parks through a Provincial Parks Advisory
Council and a Parks Conservation Foundation.
3.2 Develop and implement a recreation management strategy for Crown Lands that fosters outdoor recreation
planning and management, and nature-based tourism, within a green economy.1
3.3 Initiate revision of the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Policy to address increasing and changing pressures.
Note:
1
In this context “Crown Lands” refers to land under the administration of Environment and Parks pursuant to the Public
Lands Act and the Provincial Parks Act and “nature-based tourism” refers to tourism that is undertaken largely or solely for the
purpose of enjoying natural attractions and engaging in outdoor activities, whether for relaxation, discovery, or adventure (e.g.
camping, bird watching, trail riding, downhill skiing, hunting, mountain biking, motorized recreation).
Performance Measures
3.a Hunting and fishing licence sales1:
• Percentage change of fishing licence sales compared to
the previous year
• Percentage change of hunting licence sales compared to
the previous year
3.b Provincial park or provincial recreation areas visitation:
• Percentage of adult Albertans who visited a provincial
park or provincial recreation area in the last 12 months2
Last Actual
2014-15
Target
2016-17
Target
2017-18
Target
2018-19
5.2%
± 5%
± 4%
± 4%
3.7%
± 4%
± 3%
± 3%
28.4%
33.0%
33.0%
33.0%
Notes:
1
Fishing licence sales were 280,425 in 2014-15, an increase of 13,827 from 2013-14, and hunting licence sales were 123,438
in 2014-15, an increase of 4,381 from 2013-14. These actual license sales numbers update the estimated figures provided
in the Ministry Annual Report 2014-15. The targets provided estimate the annual percentage change based on historical
averages and projected trends for license sales.
2
Percentage of adult Albertans who visited a provincial park or provincial recreation area in the last 12 months. The overall
number of visits is expected to increase as the province’s population continues to grow.
ENVIRONMENT AND PARKS BUSINESS PLAN 2016 –19
53
Linking Performance Measures to Outcomes:
3.a Nature-based activities provide social benefits to Albertans and foster communities that are engaged in
environmental stewardship and responsible use of nature. The ministry issues hunting and fishing licences which
provide opportunities for Albertans to engage in hunting and fishing and to connect with nature while developing
an appreciation and respect for the outdoors and wildlife. Licensing also provides revenue for wilderness
development and outdoor recreation management plus has indirect tourism and economic benefits.
3.b Albertans who visit provincial parks and provincial recreation areas managed by the ministry have opportunities
for enjoyable and safe experiences in nature and a variety of nature-based outdoor recreation activities, which
contributes to overall social well-being.
Performance Indicator
3.a Park visitor satisfaction:
• Percentage of Albertans who visited provincial parks or
provincial recreation areas in the last 12 months, and are
satisfied with the quality of services and facilities
Actual
2013
Actual
2014
85.6%
86.4%
Outcome Four:Protected public health and safety from environmental conditions
and events
As indicated by the science of climate change, catastrophic events such as floods, fires and drought will increase in
frequency and severity. In addition, the negative health effects of air pollution, particularly from coal power generation,
are now better understood, resulting in chronic respiratory conditions, hospital admissions, untimely deaths and
a strain on the health care system. Environment and Parks has a role to play in protecting Albertans through the
mitigation of climate change, CO2 abatement programs and significant investments in adaptation, including major
infrastructure improvements for the city of Calgary and surrounding southern Alberta communities to avoid another
catastrophic flood as experienced in 2013.
Environment and Parks will work with Health, Municipal Affairs, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and
other ministries and agencies to assure that the public is protected now and in the future from the adverse effects of
environmental conditions and events. Safety and economic impacts from environmental emergencies are addressed
by ministry prevention, mitigation, response and recovery measures. Drinking water facilities that require an approval
or registration under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act are regulated. Ministry support is provided
through education, training, planning, forecasting, assessment, coordination, grant funding to municipalities and First
Nations, and the management of water infrastructure, wildlife interaction and environmental emergencies. Examples
of this support include creation of the Alberta Climate Change Office, problem wildlife management, flood hazard
mapping, flood recovery and mitigation by water operations infrastructure management, flood and drought funding
programs and enhanced flow monitoring programs. Collaborative efforts by Albertans are key to assure protected
public health and safety and to build resiliency to mitigate the impacts of catastrophic events.
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ENVIRONMENT AND PARKS BUSINESS PLAN 2016 –19
Key Strategies:
4.1 Develop and implement plans and programs to anticipate and minimize impacts of major catastrophic events
and to protect communities, including:
• a framework to address invasive species in Alberta; and
• a comprehensive flood mitigation plan to reduce community flood and drought vulnerability with:
›› an enhanced floodplain and flood hazard mapping program;
›› floodplain development regulations limiting future development in provincially-mapped flood hazard
areas;
›› watershed-based structural flood and drought mitigation options;
›› local government level grant funding under the Alberta Community Resilience Program and Watershed
Resiliency and Restoration Program to mitigate future flood and drought events; and
›› enhanced flood and drought communication and communication tools.
4.2 Continue ministry facility and infrastructure recovery work arising from the 2013 southern Alberta floods.
4.3 Improve and maintain provincial park infrastructure and provincially-owned water management infrastructure
to ensure public health and safety.
4.4 Develop a revised regulatory and governance approach to ensure safe and quality drinking water to all Albertans.
Performance Measures under Development:
The drinking water quality treatment measure is under development to reflect progress toward achieving outcome four.
ENVIRONMENT AND PARKS BUSINESS PLAN 2016 –19
55
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(thousands of dollars)
Comparable
2014-15
Actual
2015-16
Budget
2015-16
Forecast
2016-17
Estimate
2017-18
Target
2018-19
Target
13,274
8,453
8,453
685
685
685
6,230
2,384
96,113
244,118
362,119
4,554
40
104,432
163,984
281,463
4,554
39
106,087
166,913
286,046
3,154
44
110,255
172,380
286,518
2,054
43
109,798
217,483
330,063
2,054
43
110,741
988,584
1,102,107
(6,230)
(4,554)
(4,554)
(3,154)
(2,054)
(2,054)
355,889
276,909
281,492
283,364
328,009
1,100,053
75,684
40,763
54,105
69,264
23,092
36,376
81,221
7,494
65,074
599
73,166
27,994
50,922
63,840
24,811
39,243
90,286
10,463
78,000
60,000
73,166
27,994
46,922
63,840
24,811
38,987
91,602
10,463
78,000
7,400
71,156
17,565
45,724
76,528
24,503
39,076
92,451
10,305
70,520
-
70,734
17,460
45,187
74,278
24,356
37,762
91,705
10,241
70,348
-
72,436
17,986
46,658
74,747
25,148
38,460
92,897
10,426
70,759
-
11,121
82,273
547,066
11,909
103,286
633,920
11,909
128,286
603,380
235,000
11,845
100,357
795,030
773,000
11,845
103,477
1,330,393
1,836,000
11,843
65,000
2,362,360
(512)
(350)
(350)
(350)
(350)
(350)
Consolidated Total
546,554
633,570
603,030
794,680
1,330,043
2,362,010
Net Operating Result
(190,665)
(356,661)
(321,538)
(511,316)
(1,002,034)
(1,261,957)
2,848
3,016
31
14,429
175
730
4,074
25,303
5,000
19,488
800
17
92,579
117,884
5,000
19,763
800
17
67,579
93,159
425
5,602
297
31,220
1,000
17
110,129
148,690
425
5,602
297
49,432
1,000
17
49,900
106,673
425
5,602
297
49,432
1,000
17
75,000
131,773
REVENUE
Transfers from Government of
Canada
Internal Government Transfers
Investment Income
Premiums, Fees and Licences
Other Revenue
Ministry Total
Inter-Ministry Consolidations
Consolidated Total
EXPENSE
Ministry Support Services
Air
Land
Water
Fish and Wildlife
Integrated Planning
Parks
Land Use Secretariat
Science and Monitoring
Climate Change and Emissions
Management
Climate Leadership Plan
Quasi-Judicial Bodies
2013 Alberta Flooding
Ministry Total
Inter-Ministry Consolidations
CAPITAL INVESTMENT
Ministry Support Services
Land
Fish and Wildlife
Parks
Land Use Secretariat
Science and Monitoring
Quasi-Judicial Bodies
2013 Alberta Flooding
Total
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ENVIRONMENT AND PARKS BUSINESS PLAN 2016 –19